Coiled antenna with fluid cooling

Abstract

An energy delivery system comprises a transmission member and an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member. The antenna includes a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm. The second conductive arm includes a coil. The system also comprises a barrier layer radially spaced from the insulator and surrounding the transmission member and antenna. The barrier layer extends from a proximal portion of the transmission member to a distal portion of the antenna. The system also comprises a jacket surrounding the barrier layer and forming a fluid channel for flow of a cooling fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An energy delivery system comprising:
 a transmission member; 
 an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member, the antenna including a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm, wherein the second conductive arm includes a coil; 
 a barrier layer radially spaced from the insulator and surrounding the transmission member and the antenna, wherein the barrier layer extends from a proximal portion of the transmission member to a distal portion of the antenna; and 
 a jacket surrounding the barrier layer and forming a fluid channel for flow of a cooling fluid. 
 
     
     
       2. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer extends continuously from the proximal portion of the transmission member to the distal portion of the antenna. 
     
     
       3. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer comprises a fluid-insulating material. 
     
     
       4. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer comprises a material for providing rigidity to support the antenna. 
     
     
       5. The energy delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the jacket is coupled to the barrier layer. 
     
     
       6. The energy delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket is formed from a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       7. The energy delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein a distal section of the insulator forms a pointed tip. 
     
     
       8. The energy delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tip section positioned distally to the antenna, wherein the jacket is coupled to the tip section. 
     
     
       9. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a fluid cooling system for providing the cooling fluid to the fluid channel. 
 
     
     
       10. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first conduit member extending within the fluid channel, wherein the cooling fluid is received through the first conduit member. 
 
     
     
       11. The energy delivery system of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a second conduit member extending within the fluid channel, wherein the cooling fluid moves through the first conduit member in a first direction and moves through the second conduit member in a second direction, opposite the first direction. 
 
     
     
       12. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid channel has a D-shape. 
     
     
       13. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the jacket includes a balloon portion extending around the antenna. 
     
     
       14. The energy delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil of the second conductive arm is wound tightly around the insulator such that an outer diameter of the coil is approximately the same as an outer diameter of the transmission member. 
     
     
       15. The energy delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plug positioned between the transmission member and the second conductive arm. 
     
     
       16. The energy delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the plug is positioned to prevent migration of the cooling fluid distally of the transmission member. 
     
     
       17. The energy delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising a divider extending longitudinally within the fluid channel to separate a first sub-channel wherein the cooling fluid flows in a first direction from a second sub-channel wherein the cooling fluid flows in a second direction, opposite the first direction. 
     
     
       18. The energy delivery system of  claim 17  wherein the divider is a tube surrounding the barrier layer, the tube extending within and concentric with the jacket such that the first sub-channel is concentric with the second sub-channel. 
     
     
       19. An energy delivery system comprising:
 a transmission member; 
 an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member, the antenna including a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm, wherein the second conductive arm includes a coil; 
 a barrier layer surrounding the transmission member and the antenna, wherein the barrier layer extends from a proximal portion of the transmission member to a distal portion of the antenna; 
 a jacket surrounding the barrier layer and forming a fluid channel for flow of a cooling fluid; and 
 a divider extending longitudinally within the fluid channel to separate a first sub-channel in which the cooling fluid flows in a first direction from a second sub-channel in which the cooling fluid flows in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the divider is a tube surrounding the barrier layer, the tube extending within and concentric with the jacket such that the first sub-channel is concentric with the second sub-channel, and wherein the divider is coupled at a first longitudinal edge to the barrier layer and at a second longitudinal edge to the jacket. 
 
     
     
       20. An energy delivery system comprising:
 a transmission member; 
 an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member, the antenna including a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm, wherein the second conductive arm includes a coil and a distal section of the insulator forms a pointed tip; 
 a barrier layer surrounding the transmission member and the antenna, wherein the barrier layer extends from a proximal portion of the transmission member to a distal portion of the antenna; 
 a jacket surrounding the barrier layer and forming a fluid channel for flow of a cooling fluid; and 
 a ring extending around the insulator, wherein the ring is positioned proximal to the pointed tip and wherein a distal portion of the jacket is coupled to the ring.